- Joined
- Nov 30, 2000
- Messages
- 860
So, I decided to go visit the family back in the land of cold and snow, and being VERY CLEVER, I decided not to check a bag. Boy, was that a mistake. I was there for 10 days. Without a knife. Of any kind.
I end up in Utah at least once a year, and by day #2, I decided that it was time to just buy a knife to keep there. So I ran off to Galyans, and trying not to look like too much of a criminal (95% of my knives have been bought online), I ventured into the knife department. My options were: Smith and Wesson's, a large variety of leatherman's, a couple crap brands, a bunch of fixed blades, buck 110's, or..
Actually, the real decision was between the Kershaw Whirlwind and a Spyderco Dragonfly. The dragonfly being too small, $50 later, I ended up with the Whirlwind.
First, let me say, 440A is teh suck. Even with a decent Kershaw heat treatment, it just plain sucks. The blade is basically just like a buck 110. Which is good. But, it seems to be much thinner and weaker, which is bad. I rolled the edge twice in 8 days.
The speedsafe is about as useful as nothing. Most of the time, I didn't even realize the knife had it as a feature. Except when I was worrying that it would go off in my pocket and make me unable to have children.
This knife should have been tip up.
The handle is a little small, and feels very cheap. Doesn't fit my fairly large hand very well. The lock was decent, for a liner lock. Held very well through my very light use. The clip was ok, but not all that impressive. Overall, the Whirlwind is a decent knife, but it pales in comparison to similar priced offerings from Spyderco, Benchmade, Sog, etc.
I'm glad I bought it, but I'm also very glad that I don't have to carry it everyday. I'll carry it once a year for a few days, and that's good enough for me.
-- Rob
I end up in Utah at least once a year, and by day #2, I decided that it was time to just buy a knife to keep there. So I ran off to Galyans, and trying not to look like too much of a criminal (95% of my knives have been bought online), I ventured into the knife department. My options were: Smith and Wesson's, a large variety of leatherman's, a couple crap brands, a bunch of fixed blades, buck 110's, or..
Actually, the real decision was between the Kershaw Whirlwind and a Spyderco Dragonfly. The dragonfly being too small, $50 later, I ended up with the Whirlwind.
First, let me say, 440A is teh suck. Even with a decent Kershaw heat treatment, it just plain sucks. The blade is basically just like a buck 110. Which is good. But, it seems to be much thinner and weaker, which is bad. I rolled the edge twice in 8 days.
The speedsafe is about as useful as nothing. Most of the time, I didn't even realize the knife had it as a feature. Except when I was worrying that it would go off in my pocket and make me unable to have children.
This knife should have been tip up.
The handle is a little small, and feels very cheap. Doesn't fit my fairly large hand very well. The lock was decent, for a liner lock. Held very well through my very light use. The clip was ok, but not all that impressive. Overall, the Whirlwind is a decent knife, but it pales in comparison to similar priced offerings from Spyderco, Benchmade, Sog, etc.
I'm glad I bought it, but I'm also very glad that I don't have to carry it everyday. I'll carry it once a year for a few days, and that's good enough for me.
-- Rob